Clinical Significance of the Expression of Galectin-3 in Thyroid Tumor

Galectin-3 is a beta-galactoside binding protein, of which the major function is not fully elucidatedin malignant tumor. However, galectin-3 is expressed in epithelial cells and contributes to the progression of cancer. Althoughgalectin-3 is expressed in a variety of tissues and plays important roles in malignant transformation or tumor progression,the study on its expression related to clinicopathological parameters in thyroid tumor is rare. So, the present study aims to findout the clinical significance of galectin-3 in thyroid tumor. Subjects and Method：We assessed mRNA and protein expressionsof the galectin-3 gene by means of the RT-PCR method and immunohistochemical staining in 100 cases of thyroid tumors (50papillary carcinomas, 10 follicular carcinomas, 20 follicular adenomas, 20 nodular hyperplasia). The expression of galectin-3 iscompared with the clinical prognostic factors of thyroid papillary cancer. Results：Using RT-PCR, galectin-3 mRNA was detectedin 41 (82%) in papillary carcinoma, 6 (60%) in follicular carcinoma, 8 (40%) in follicular adenoma and 9 (45%) in nodularhyperplasia cases. Using immunohistochemical staining, galectin-3 protein expressions were detected in 46 (92%), 7(70%), 3 (15%) and 1 (5%). The expressions of the galectin-3 mRNA and protein were significantly recognized in thyroid papillarycarcinoma. However, the galectin-3 mRNA and protein over-expression is not significantly correlated with the clinicalprognostic factors of thyroid papillary carcinoma. Conclusion：These results suggest that galectin-3 expression may be associatedwith thyroid papillary carcinoma development.